Methionine metabolism and multiple sclerosis.

CONTEXT: Methylation reactions are particularly important in the brain and their inhibition can lead to a number of serious pathologies. Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common neurological disorders caused by interaction of genetic and environmental factors, but little is known about its cause or factors that contribute to the disorder. Although multiple sclerosis is primarily regarded as demyelinating disorder, there are no many articles focusing on methionine determination.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to investigate whether serum methionine and its related compounds like homocysteine, cysteine, glutathione and asymmetric dimethylarginine were changed in multiple sclerosis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sulphur-containing compounds were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in a single run for providing more complex view on methionine metabolism and asymmetric dimetylarginine was measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

RESULTS: Methionine and glutathione were decreased, but homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine and cysteine were unchanged in patients with multiple sclerosis compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS: Methionine and glutathione seem to be potential biomarkers for prognosis of the disease.